Real climate leadership for people and the planet

We need to keep it in the ground, develop meaningful relationships and take bold climate action

Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada’s leading social action organization, mobilizing a network of 60 chapters across the country 100,000 supporters. Through campaigns we advocate for clean water, fair trade, green energy, climate justice, public health care, and a vibrant democracy.

The Council of Canadians makes this submission to the Climate Action Plan with the premise that any climate plan must prioritize people and the planet we live on. This has multiple components, such as justice, equity, economy, environment and meaningful nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous peoples. This is not a list of choices. Until we check all of these boxes – and others – any climate plan is incomplete. Some people will say we will inevitably have to compromise. The Council of Canadians recognizes that making these changes will be a process with challenges, but we must embark on this journey to ensure our planet survives for future generations.

The Council of Canadians’ submission will focus on a few overarching components that are crucial to bold and effective climate action, including the importance of public and community ownership of renewable energy projects and the threat trade agreements pose to climate action. We will also include concrete proposals to address the climate change crisis and help build a people and planet-centered climate plan.